Dispensing Tub with Spreader/Retainer Ribs on the Cover

ABSTRACT

A dispensing tub with a lid/cover having a pair of spreader/retainer ribs. On the cover side, the spreader/retainer ribs increase the opening degree of the spring clip latches. The spring clip latches collide with the spreader/retainer ribs before the latches reach their default final position. As the lid hook reaches the spring clip assembly through the gap between the spreader/retainer ribs, the gap is larger than the width of lid hook for proper lid release and lid locking. The spreader/retainer ribs are located on top of spring clip assembly, when the spring clip assembly opens and move upward, the spring clip latches will collide with spreader/retainer ribs and the opening path of latches are guided by the spreader/retainer ribs. The spreader/retainer ribs force the spring clip latches to open with an opening degree that is larger than default to release lid hook.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dispensing tubs. More specifically, the present invention relates to lid locking closure devices for dispensing tubs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dispensing tubs typically use a spring clip assembly to perform lid locking and release actions. The performance of these actions are affected by the opening degree of spring clip latches. However, if the clip is kept in close state for long period of time, the spring clip mechanism will tend to be slow in opening to the proper dimension. If the opening gap dimension is not large enough, they will catch the lid hook and lid opening action will fail. Additionally, the size of spring clip assembly used in dispensing tub is generally small, if it can be disassembled from the product easily; the young user may swallow it and will cause serious safety issue.

Therefore, what is needed is a lid that ensures successful release of the lid hook no matter how long or what environment the spring clip assembly is kept in.

What is also needed is a retaining feature that provides an added level of product safety in preventing accidental or unauthorized removal of the clip assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a pair of curved ribs on the cover. The pair of curved ribs has two functions. The first function is to act as a spreader to force the spring clip latches to open when the lid is pressed to activate the clip release. The curved shape of the ribs insures the ribs are opened to the required width and smoothly release the lid retainer feature. The second function of the ribs is to act as a safety retainer feature. The curved ribs overlap the spring clip “fingers” and prevent clip assembly from tampering and/or easy removal from cover.

There is a pair of spreader/retainer ribs on the cover. The spreader/retainer ribs are on top of the spring clip latches opening path and they force the latches to open with a large opening degree even the latches tend to keep the degree as they are in close stage. In addition, the retaining feature of these ribs overhangs the clip assembly, creating interference and preventing the assembly from being removed once pressed into the cover housing.

With the help of spreader/retainer ribs, the present invention ensures successful release of lid hook no matter how long or what environment the spring clip assembly is kept in. The retaining feature also provides an added level of product safety in preventing accidental or unauthorized removal of the clip assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1: illustrates the spring clip assembly as taught by the present invention.

FIG. 2: is an isometric view of cover-lid sub-assembly as taught by the present invention.

FIG. 3: is a section view of the cover-lid sub-assembly as taught by the present invention.

FIG. 4: illustrates a bottom feature of the lid as taught by the present invention.

FIG. 5: illustrates a top feature of the cover as taught by the present invention.

FIG. 6: illustrates a bottom feature of the cover as taught by the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention. Referring to the figures, it is possible to see the various major elements constituting the apparatus of the present invention.

The present invention is a dispensing tub with a cover 2 and lid 1 having a pair of spreader/retainer ribs 2. A tub is not shown or illustrated as the size and shape of the tub can be anything, as long as the open area of the tub is of the same shape and size to connect to the cover 2. A person of ordinary skill in the art (POSITA) would readily acknowledge and understand that the scope of the invention is directed to and focuses on the lid/cover assembly taught by the present invention, and that any tub body may be attached thereto.

The spreader/retainer ribs 2 are on top of the spring clip latches opening path and the spreader/retainer ribs 2 force the spring clip latches 3 to open with a large opening degree, even the latches tend to keep the degree as they are in close stage. In addition, the retaining feature of these spreader/retainer ribs 2 overhangs the spring clip assembly 6, creating interference and preventing the spring clip assembly 6 from being removed once pressed into the cover 4 housing and spring clip assembly holder 7.

With the help of spreader/retainer ribs 2, the present invention ensures successful release of lid hook 8 no matter how long or what environment the spring clip assembly 6 is kept in. The retaining feature also provides an added level of product safety in preventing accidental or unauthorized removal of the spring clip assembly 6.

For other devices that use a spring clip assembly, they usually reduce the width of lid hook to prevent unintentional lid catching caused by the decrease of a latches opening degree. However, if the lid hook width is too small, the surface for latches to catch will also be smaller. The latches may fail to lock the lid in position.

Furthermore, currently no manufacturer provides a safety retaining feature to their spring clip assemblies; the present is the first in the market to overcome these shortcomings in the prior art. The present invention improves the opening performance of the spring clip assembly rather than changing the lid feature, so the lid hook width will not be too small and avoid the locking problem mentioned.

Additionally, by creating an overlapping retaining feature, the spring clip assembly 6 will remain in the correct position to improve long term product activation reliability.

The present invention includes a lid 1, a cover 4, and a spring clip assembly 6. The spring clip assembly 6 is inserted to the spring clip assembly holder 7 on the cover 2. The lid 1 is installed to the cover 4 and the lid 1 is held by the cover 4 to form a cover-lid sub-assembly.

The lid 1 includes a lid hook 8 while the cover 2 includes spreader/retainer ribs 2 and a spring clip assembly holder 7.

On the cover side of the cover-lid sub-assembly, the spreader/retainer ribs 2 increase the opening degree of the spring clip latches 5. The spring clip latches 5 collide with the spreader/retainer ribs 2 before the latches 5 reach their default final position. As the lid hook 8 reaches the spring clip assembly 6 through the gap 9 between the spreader/retainer ribs 2, the gap 9 is larger than the width of lid hook 8 for proper lid 1 release and lid 1 locking. Meanwhile, the gap 9 is small enough to retain the entire spring clip assembly 6 in the cover 4 housing.

The spreader/retainer ribs 2 are located on top of spring clip assembly 6, when the spring clip assembly 6 opens and moves upward, the spring clip latches 5 will collide with spreader/retainer ribs 2 and the opening path 10 of the latches 3 are guided by the spreader/retainer ribs 2. The spreader/retainer ribs 2 force the spring clip latches 5 to open with an opening degree that is larger than default to release a lid hook 8. As the spring clip assembly 6 is larger than the gap 9 between the pair of spreader/retainer ribs 2, the spring clip assembly 6 cannot be removed from the cover 4 housing easily.

The present invention is made out of plastic in an injection molding process. Last, a post molding process assembles the parts together.

The spring clip assembly 6, lid 1 with lid hook 8, cover 4 with spring clip assembly 6 holder 7 and spreader/retainer ribs 2 are necessary for this invention.

During assembly process, the spring clip assembly 6 can be inserted directly into the spring clip assembly holder 7 on the cover 4 through the gap 9 between spreader/retainer ribs 2.

When the user uses the invention, the user can open and close the lid 1 simply by pressing and activation area 11 or area nearby on lid 1. The lid hook 8 on lid 1 activates the spring clip assembly 6. When the spring clip assembly 6 is activated to open, the latches 3 will collide with spreader/retainer ribs 2 and can function automatically. If the user wants to remove the spring clip assembly 6, the rigid spreader/retaining ribs 2 keep the spring clip assembly 6 in the cover 4.

Thus, it is appreciated that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variation in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the above description are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Furthermore, other areas of art may benefit from this method and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of the invention is determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A dispensing tub with a lid and cover having a pair of spreader/retainer ribs, the lid and cover device comprising: a lid; a cover; and a spring clip assembly, the spring clip assembly is inserted to a spring clip assembly holder on the cover; the lid is installed to the cover and is held by the cover to form a cover-lid sub-assembly; and the lid includes a lid hook while the cover includes spreader/retainer ribs and spring clip assembly holder.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the spreader/retainer ribs increase the opening degree of the spring clip latches.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the spring clip latches collide with the spreader/retainer ribs before the latches reach their default final position; and as the lid hook reaches the spring clip assembly through the gap between the spreader/retainer ribs, the gap is larger than the width of lid hook for proper lid release and lid locking.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the gap is small enough to retain the entire spring clip assembly in the cover housing.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the spreader/retainer ribs are located on top of spring clip assembly, when the spring clip assembly opens and move upward, the spring clip latches will collide with spreader/retainer ribs and the opening path of latches are guided by the spreader/retainer ribs.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the spreader/retainer ribs force the spring clip latches to open with an opening degree that is larger than default to release lid hook; and as the spring clip assembly is larger than the gap between the pair of spreader/retainer ribs, the assembly cannot be removed from the cover housing easily.
 7. The device of claim 1, made out of plastic in an injection molding process.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein a post molding process assembles the parts together.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein during the assembly process, the spring clip assembly can be inserted directly into the spring clip assembly holder on the cover through the gap between spreader/retainer ribs.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising an activation area or area nearby on lid whereby a user can open and close the lid simply by pressing.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the lid hook on lid activates the spring clip assembly; when the spring clip assembly is activated to open, the latches will collide with spreader/retainer ribs and can function automatically.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the rigid spreader/retaining ribs keep the assembly in the cover.
 13. A dispensing tub with a lid/cover having a pair of spreader/retainer ribs, the device comprising: a spring clip assembly; a lid with lid hook; and a cover with spring clip assembly holder and spreader/retainer ribs.
 14. A dispensing tub with a lid/cover having a pair of spreader/retainer ribs, the device comprising: a lid; the lid includes a lid hook while the cover includes spreader/retainer ribs and spring clip assembly holder; a cover; the lid is installed to the cover and is held by the cover to form a cover-lid sub-assembly; and a spring clip assembly, the spring clip assembly is inserted to a spring clip assembly holder on the cover; the spreader/retainer ribs are located on top of spring clip assembly, when the spring clip assembly opens and move upward, the spring clip latches will collide with spreader/retainer ribs and the opening path of latches are guided by the spreader/retainer ribs; the spring clip latches collide with the spreader/retainer ribs before the latches reach their default final position; and as the lid hook reaches the spring clip assembly through the gap between the spreader/retainer ribs, the gap is larger than the width of lid hook for proper lid release and lid locking.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the spreader/retainer ribs increase the opening degree of the spring clip latches.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the gap is small enough to retain the entire spring clip assembly in the cover housing.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the spreader/retainer ribs force the spring clip latches to open with an opening degree that is larger than default to release lid hook; and as the spring clip assembly is larger than the gap between the pair of spreader/retainer ribs, the assembly cannot be removed from the cover housing easily.
 18. The device of claim 14, further comprising an activation area or area nearby on lid whereby a user can open and close the lid simply by pressing.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the lid hook on lid activates the spring clip assembly; when the spring clip assembly is activated to open, the latches will collide with spreader/retainer ribs and can function automatically.
 20. The device of claim 14, wherein the rigid spreader/retaining ribs keep the assembly in the cover. 